Meet David Axe | writer and filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Axe and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve got lots of businesses. I’m a self-employed writer. I make small movies under the banner of a couple of production companies. I’m also building a “kino” — a tiny movie theater. Creating a business, or several, was never the goal. My goals are creative. The businesses are just part of that infrastructure for doing creative work.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work for Forbes full-time as a reporter focusing on the war in Ukraine. I also contribute to other publications and occasionally write non-fiction books and graphic novels. But my real passion is writing, directing and producing small movies. I’ve got several indie flicks in distribution, mostly with BayView Entertainment. My latest, dropping in 2025, is LEFT ONE ALIVE. It’s not a horror movie. It’s what happens AFTER a horror movie. I also produced the latest movie by Austin filmmaker John Valley. It’s a gnarly horror in the vein of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE called AMERICAN DOLLHOUSE, and I can’t wait for the world to see it. It’s a masterpiece.

What I’ve learned might not be applicable to many people. First, do what you love and find a way to make it work. The risk, if you don’t, is that you wake up and you’re 45 years old and you’re halfway through a life you don’t enjoy. Also, take risks, expect the best, plan for the worst and never, ever give up on something you genuinely believe in. Finally, don’t mistake money for success. Money comes and goes. It’s not rational and it’s not fair and it alone won’t make you happy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Find fun little weird film venues in and around Atlanta. There are lots. I’ve had a great time at the Plaza in Atlanta and at The Strand in Marietta. They play all sorts of movies and organize festivals and they’re lovely little anchors for interesting, thriving neighborhoods.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The late writer William Price Fox, who gave me my first chance.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axedavid/

Twitter: https://x.com/daxe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidaxemovies

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/davidaxe